Getting out of the Matrix life

Yo wassup guys,

Today I want to write about something that is very important. It’s about the big Matrix, that is life.

When you hear about the Matrix, everyone’s like, “Oh that movie starring Keanu Reeves”.

Or to go a little deeper, the Matrix is the stimulated reality that humans are in. The Matrix hides the truth from humanity, allowing them to live a convincing, simulated life while machines grow and harvest people to use as an ongoing energy source.

Read that shit again:

 ”hides the truth from humanity, allowing them to live a convincing, simulated life”

Does that sound real or can you relate to that sentence in anyway? If you can’t, then yo, you probably ARE in the Matrix.

If you are thinking like,” Hey this is cheesy, why is this douchebag suddenly talk about a movie?”. I understand.

The term Matrix came up to me when I was talking to a friend about life and shit. Not that we were being a couple of philosophical pricks, but we exchanged views and ideas on believing in yourself and doing what you love. I was basically talking about naysayers and that no one is there to encourage you, and he said it’s because they are caught in the Matrix.

Boom. Perfectly captured.

I am talking about the Matrix because the Matrix is very existent in our lives and many people are caught in it. Like the movie, people are not aware of it, or rather, they are more or less aware of it, but they actually think it’s okay to be caught in the Matrix in its whole and not do a damn thing about it.

What is the modern day Matrix?

This is my definition:

The Matrix today is the reality that society has set upon us. Expectations based on mostly superficial importance, like money and career are highly prized. People get sucked into this.

This is the lie of life as more important things like passion, following your heart, believing in yourself or just being happy aren’t deemed important.

The bigger lie is that people think this is very normal.

This is why many people always feel there’s “something missing” in their lives. And try as they might, they can’t find it to fill the void. They only feel the void.

The Matrix way of life

Study in school—> Grow up— >Get a job—> Get money—> Repeat for the rest of your life and hope you can survive and be happy.

Let’s go a little deeper now:

You grow up and do what you are expected to do because you are told to do it and then you start to believe that you are supposed to do it. Then you tell yourself it’s all “normal” because “everyone else is doing it anyway”.

This is when your boss is nagging at and putting you down and you believe every damn thing he says. This is when you feel like shit everyday when you wake up to go to work and not care about the unhealthy side effects of it. This is when your work overtime and call that time productive. This is the place where money goes hand in hand with your happiness.

The list goes on. Some symptoms of the Matrix can be found here,  I got 5.

The Matrix is where average people who do not believe in themselves live and that’s where they do not amount to anything great.

That’s the general belief, as in to believe in the lie. Mediocrity is also generally accepted because that’s normal. People also tend to seek norms to feel comfortable and then use these norms to deride those who dare to be different.

“Something is missing”

In the Matrix, the blind has been pulled over you. You can’t really see, with your heart.

You stop believing in yourself. You think you can’t amount anything great, like “those rich guys” because you aren’t as lucky as them or that you aren’t special. You forget about following your passion or doing what you love due to circumstances or a bunch of excuses, which you call reasons.

As such, the classic line comes to you, in your head or whatever, “Something is missing”.

Then you tell yourself it’s okay. And seek minor comfort from your surroundings since it’s very very normal.

If you notice by now, the Matrix is a fucking vicious cycle.

So what is real?

What is real can always be up to you. What you see and how you live is up to you, but it is very important to follow your heart and recognize what you are to yourself, and not just to this world. 

I don’t have the answers for you because at the end of the day you need to create them yourselves. But I got a brief little guide right here and I hope it helps:

How to get out of the Matrix

1) Start believing in yourself

One of the most basic rules in life, and yet not many people actually follow this. It baffles and boggles my mind to why some people in life just don’t think they are great or can even amount to anything great. When they meet rich fucking millionaires or read about celebrities, they think of them as, “those guys”. And that’s that. Hell, what is really the difference between you and them? I say nothing. They may have a headstart, a little bit of luck or whatever, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have or do the same in life.

Remember, you are enormously significant.

Believing in yourself may be cliche advice, so let me twist it the other way around for you: Stop believing bullshit from others.

Block out all the noise from society, from the Matrix. Your boss doesn’t know better, not even your mom does. Others’ judgement of you will never be perfect because you alone are single and special in your own individual way and it’s up to you to create your own path. Just because others are caught up in their own thinking and way of life doesn’t mean you need to listen to them let alone be dragged down by them.

When someone says, “You cannot”, just remember that they are not you and that it’s bullshit. All the crap in the world will never be able to take away the one gift you have in your life, and that is hope.

2) Find your passion

Passion to me is extremely important in life. It’s that very special feeling that pretty much takes over everything in your very body. When you feel passion, everything just becomes right and oh yeah, it makes you happy like shit. Go for your PASSION . I had to repeat that, because it’s passion. Something you LOVE. It’s not a mild interest or something for you to dabble with from time to time. Passion is something that grows on you and you just know it’s going to stick to for the rest of your life.

It is passion that actually manages to fill that void and help to COMPLETELY erase that little voice that says, “Something is missing”.

Take your time to find it. Don’t give up. It will be worth it. Lifehack here gives a great read and guide to it.

3) Follow your passion

Then you need to follow your passion. Don’t abandon it. Don’t ever give it up for anyone or anything in the world. Just try to work towards going for what you love in life. Because when you do follow your passion and start being true to yourself, good things will manifest in your life, be it in your mind or real tangible shit just coming to you.

4) Don’t give a fuck about others

Probably the most prominent theme of my blog, yup you got to not care what about what others think or say about you. Because everyone else is caught in the Matrix, they will be all too keen to discourage the hell out of you from doing what you are doing. When they see that something or someone is different, it would be considered abnormal, and bad. People are generally afraid of others’ success.

Having trouble being yourself and blocking out the noise? Here’s 50 things to tell yourself to not fucking care about others.

5)  Do epic shit

Get yourself to do something epic for yourself and for your life. Warning: It’s not going to be easy and it takes balls.

It’s stuff like getting yourself to quit your job on the spot if you don’t like it; telling your boss off; travelling to an unknown land; trying out a new sport, or dance.

Just be epic. Get it done. That make or break, do or die moment will be a complete breath of fresh air. Then you can be all cliche and be like, “Oh yes quitting my job was hardest decision of my life. But it was a blessing in disguise”.

Whatever, but the point is, when you gather up the courage and go for it, good things can happen to you.

Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists  write fantastic articles and essays on becoming a minimalist.

Joel Runyon runs a brilliant blog of doing impossible things. Aptly named the Blog of Impossible Things, he definitely does epic shit.

6) Help others

Sadly, the Matrix is all about classes and divide. In the rat race for money, career and other shit, people tend to get too caught up in themselves and forget that everyone else is trying to live and be happy and are all the same. As such, people forget to help each other.

I am not saying most people are assholes, but for some reason being in the Matrix means you can’t really give out unconditional love. Everyone just wants something in return. So just help others and you can make your life that little much better. It’s not a very hard concept to grasp. 

Just recognize that you have a choice

“Hold it! Alden, you bloody douchebag. You are talking as if it’s so easy. Not many people have the luxury of life to do all that”.

Like, you can’t quit your job because you need money and probably to support your family right? I know.

It’s up to you to do epic shit. With that, I think it’s important to start off small, and slow, and that is to simply recognize that you have a choice. Nobody or anything else in the world can take that away from you. Because at the end of the day, wherever you are, whoever you are, you can always ask yourself this, “Is there more to life as it is?” And if you are caught in the Matrix, there’s a shit load more waiting for you. Whether it’s a hot girl, a new job you love, some crazy new thing for you to try out or just a new book, they are all waiting for you. Go get it.

By the way, you can pretty much understand why I left the Matrix from this personal entry I recently wrote. Is this a “luxury of life” then? It’s just choice…

Chill out. I am just asking you to stay true to yourself, not become some hippie douche like so:

I am going to end off this post with a video of Bboys from Circle of Fire crew doing their thing.

Watch it and see it for what it really is. It’s NOT just a bunch of guys showing off and dancing in public. It’s expression. It’s simply being free.

Also, at the end, someone talks about the Matrix… See? I am not just some deluded douchebag ranting about a movie or being a blowhard.

Have friends in the Matrix? Share this post!

Are you in the Matrix? Let me know in the comments!


 

53 Comments

  • N
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  • 5:51 pm on January 5, 2012
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Hey, I'm a new reader who stumbled across your blog from New Nation, just wanna say that your blog is really readable and it's inspiring to see you go after your dreams! Best of luck with this space.

  • alden
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  • 4:11 am on January 6, 2012
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Thanks! =) Go after your dreams too, I would love to hear about it.


  • Joe
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  • 5:23 am on January 6, 2012
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This is my favourite movie! I watched it 5 times. 90% of the people in the world are in the Matrix. They never question the authority, they believe in the Government and the system. It took some courageous ones to fight the system. No matter what, they system is there to stay for a while.

  • alden
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  • 7:14 am on January 6, 2012
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Yeah. But well, I guess end of the day also it's a matter of perspective. They have their own way of living, as do we.


  • Fred Castro
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  • 6:03 am on January 7, 2012
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Thank God, some people are waking up. Red pills for everyone, let us all be free! Fuck the matrix! Great article! Cheers from Brazil!

  • alden
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  • 2:07 pm on January 7, 2012
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Most excellent bro! And thanks!


Awesome post! I enjoyed reading it a lot! And I am one of the lucky ones to have gotten outta the Matrix. As you've mentioned, did the usual school>Uni>office job>supposed to get married shite. Totally miserable like fish. So ditched the job, ditched the idiot bf. Cooked in cafes. Now studying in cooking school. Gonna work in a totally cool bakery with an awesome chef-mentor soon. Have sights set on working in Bali, Maldives in the future. Totally grateful, totally happy now. :)

  • alden
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  • 5:54 am on January 8, 2012
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That's awesome! Follow your passions. I got my sights on Bali and Maldives too, but just to chill :) Which bakery would that be?

http://www.bakerandcook.biz/ do visit us! :)

  • alden
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  • 6:31 pm on January 9, 2012
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Looks awesome :)


  • Peter
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  • 10:10 am on January 21, 2012
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hey alden, awesome post and awesome blog. keep up with the good stuff. i put it in my google reader. cheers mate.

  • alden
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  • 6:49 am on January 22, 2012
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Thanks bro :)


  • hugh
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  • 5:46 pm on March 18, 2012
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yeah great but life is still all about money, isn't it? EVERYTHING. it pretty much the reason anyone's going anywhee or doing anything at any time, and if it's not to get oney it's to spend it. LIFE IS ABOUT MONEY AND I FUCKING HATE IT.

  • alden
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  • 7:25 pm on March 18, 2012
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Relax Hugh. Life is a lot more than that. You just got to dig deeper. Email me man so we can chat. Looks like you could use a little help.


Alden, Breaking free of the Matrix was the most difficult and yet most liberating event of my life. The amazing thing about it was, that other people seemed totally unaffected by the change that I made. I other words, I should have been being myself all along! I pray that the message you are putting out reaches those who really need to hear it, and I will do MY best to help that along, believe that.

Hey David, Awesome! So what were you doing in the matrix previously? I know what you mean. Being yourself is the most awesome thing you can do to yourself. I find it hard to do that in the matrix, unless you REALLY love your job. Thanks for the encouragement David!


  • Mark
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  • 4:00 pm on June 25, 2012
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Another great post bro! Just read it tho heheh. Long story short, I dropped almost everything in my life to grind it out and turn it into something better. 2-3 years to go and I'm free from the system!

With your poker eh? Nice stuff :)


  • Mark
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  • 4:00 pm on June 25, 2012
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See you at session again sometime; it's been forever.

Haha come to Esplanade la


  • Kelli
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  • 4:16 pm on June 28, 2012
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So I happened to Stumble Upon your site. Best thing ever, I am addicted and you really speak to me. I am one of those people that pushes others and has great ideas... for everyone else. As for myself, I am stuck in the Matrix. I recently moved out, got a job, got my own place, have pets and pay bills and my dad just came to see me and told me I am not doing enough, don't I want more, I need a better job that makes more money and a better car and it just goe son and on. He called me last night to tell me I am just not doing enough. He works 7 days a week and has fancy cars and a big house and all he does is complain about his life. I realized I'm not doing enough, I stopped following my dreams and doing the things I am passionate about because I started listening to my parents. I have been looking for someone to talk me up, to say the right thing and it looks like I finally found it. Thank you ;)

Hey Kelli, Thanks for dropping by and sharing! What're you doing now exactly? Your dad sounds like he worked hard and he probably just wants the best for you, but well, I say follow your heart and do what fits you best. "Enough" and "success" are two things which are super subjective and only you can decide that for yourself. Follow your dreams and good things will manifest.


  • Pat
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  • 4:57 pm on June 30, 2012
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I love the Matrix movie, most spiritual movie I've ever seen. I did the whole go to school, go to more school, etc ... it was the only thing I knew how to do. I became a doctor and practiced medicine for ten years. Made six figures. Hated it, but it took a nervous breakdown to get me to take care of myself. My husband had a great job and I was killing myself ... so I quit and stayed home with the kids. Best job ever :) I love the look on people's faces when I tell my story. My goal is to go back to making six figures, this time doing things *I* want to do.

LOL when I first watched the Matrix movie, I was 14. I thought it was a drag. I only understood it better later on when I got older. Wow ten years, that's a long time. I'm sorry you had to go through a nervous breakdown, but at least it's given you your dream job. So what do you plan to do?


  • Robertovichin
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  • 11:03 am on July 7, 2012
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Thank You man! You did a great job!

Thanks dude!


  • Paula
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  • 9:27 am on July 26, 2012
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I am stucked at this moment. I am 41. Since I was 23 I have been working hard, I had two children, I asked for a credit to buy the house of my dreams, not in the best place but the house is wonderful. I got married and after some years things started going down. I lost my job (I am a secretary I hate that job since ever, but it was easy to ccstudy and I needed money to live I had never got money from my family I had to help them and after them my own family). So, trying to resume I always do and did the supposed 'right thing'. Nowadays I am quite aware many things I've learned are not the best things to teach my children. But I am exhausted, unfaithful, my country makes me sick, politicians are saving themselves not helping people. I would like to leave my country with my children but I'm scared, paralyzed I know I can do it, as always, but I am too frightened for them. Well, I don't expect an answer...but now I feel better sharing my feelings with you. Your blog is absolutely grate! It's helpful and for me now a ray of light. Thank you!

And you will get an answer. Thanks for sharing Paula. You're pretty awesome for sharing that, and that was a mouthful! Whatever it is, I think you're doing a fine job. You've a family and you're taking care of them. That's awesome! Not many can do that you know... I can't give you the solution for you, but being self-aware is definitely a great start. Hang in there! Email me anytime if you want. Peace.

  • Guy Andrew
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  • 2:49 am on July 29, 2012
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Hi Paula,Let me take you away from all this....................New Zealand¬!!


  • Mariya.
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  • 5:09 pm on August 1, 2012
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Great posts! I love your positive energy! Thanks for adding beauty to the world..... Btw have you heard of joseph campbell? He is on point! Check him out if you havent! Love, light , peace!

Thanks Mariya! Love that you dropped by! Nope I haven't heard of Joseph Campbell. Ima google him!! Thanks!


  • nick
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  • 8:02 am on August 23, 2012
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man, this stuff is inspiring, keep up the good work. i'm sure many will benefit from reading your pieces. let me know if you would like share "guest posts" on your page Be happy Have fun nick

Thanks nick! What kind of guest posts? And what blog do you write for?


  • nick
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  • 8:15 pm on August 25, 2012
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Ive heard this said many times but never quite so well, I completely agree its all about being free within reason and always realizing the potential for change. Do things that make you feel... alive, Nick.

For real Nick. Be free, be alive, and start living. Accept only your own truth.


  • Diane
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  • 6:48 pm on September 17, 2012
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About doing something epic, it is a great thing to do. I have done it and it gave me a lot in return. A brand new start and a lot of time to travel . After a year, i realised that this idea isnt very welcomed by the working society in Singapore. Employers think that 1 unemployed year is bad. In reality, they never tried and werent brave enough to make the mould. That decision changed my life positively & i appreciate things more than before.


  • Diane
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  • 6:52 pm on September 17, 2012
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*break the mould* sorry... And this is a great post. Hope it encourages more people to look into their lives deeper.

Thanks so much for coming Diane. That's awesome! You from Singapore too? A year of travelling is great. Wish I could do that. I keep only going Bangkok :P. I'm sure it has all opened up your mind. Where've you been to?


  • campbell
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  • 12:01 pm on September 19, 2012
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I really enjoyed this blog, it has given me lots to think about....especially where I fit in the matrix!!!!

Thanks Campbell! Which part of the matrix do you fit in?


  • campbell
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  • 5:43 pm on September 20, 2012
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I think I have a foot in each....I understand the shit but still a little scared to make that leap!!

Make it man! But hey, being self-aware is a great first start! It'll bring you a long way.

  • Animal
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  • 12:54 pm on November 15, 2012
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I just wanna butt in here & suggest a series of videos on youtube called "David Deangelo, Deep Inner Game" there's about 7 two hour long vids in it. Part of it talks about a story called "The Count Of Monte Cristo" in which a man is wrongly imprisoned (The Matrix) & escapes by jumping of a cliff into the sea (Leaving the Matrix). When he dives he doesn't know if he survives or what sort of a life will be there for him if he does survive...He's terrified, it's life threatening but he does it anyway. Just be scared dude & do it anyway


  • madina
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  • 10:57 am on September 25, 2012
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Thanks a lot for the great job you do , this is Amazing,,thanks for supporting and very encouraging message :-)

Are you out of the Matrix Madina?


  • nmohamed
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  • 1:24 am on September 29, 2012
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thanks for your post. it seems to be a message for me :) I've been working for 5 years now in a job that i used to love but very exhausting (still working till no; it's 4:00 am now in my weekend). but what i feel now that this is enough, and i have no life (all around work) and i don't have time with my family whom i adore, been crying a lottttttttttt. i wanna quit work for a while and do nothing related to work i mean, but i think i can do many activities (hope so). but i'm afraid i m gonna regret it some day. what do u think? sorry for the long message but as i said it seems like a message to me

Hey man! No problem for the long message man that's why I'm here. What job are you working now? It sounds alright to me man. As in, just leave for a bit. It's all good :). I'm sure your family would understand. Looking forward to our call :)


  • Animal
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  • 12:33 pm on November 15, 2012
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I was brought up by a bunch of "nay-sayers" & so didn't achieve much in my early life. I thought I was a way from all that 'till yesterday my gf of all people told me she thinks I'm incapable of doing two projects in one go. Awwww well not to worry I know I'm gonna end up with the portfolio I've always wanted. :~{D


  • missdjb
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  • 2:33 pm on December 4, 2012
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Note to self...read relevant literature before making a comment Best to stay close to the walls and make yourself ride the wave of the bell shape curve. Your own insignificance gives you insight and power


  • Somah
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  • 9:45 am on January 1, 2013
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I just stumbled across your blog and let me confess, i speed read everything. I have never read anyone's article/blog in its entirity. Yours, however i read like i would read or proofread my own emails/texts..etc. I also don't usually comment on anything, but I just had to comment. I am sure you will see that i practically just subscribed. Perhaps 2013 has new things in store for me. I love your outlook on life and i wish i had stumbled upon you sooner. I do live in the matrix....in NY. I come from an Indian family who believes in the American way of life/matrix. I find myself asking myself this one question: is this all there is to life? This cannot be all.... I am truly stuck, but you have given me hope! Thank you ever sooo much :) Keep these articles coming....love it...

Thank you Somah :). Get out of the Matrix. You don't have to rip off the band aid just like that. You can take it slow. Step by step.


Hey nice blog bro!! its very inspiring!!!. A guy like me could use a little help. Im having a tough time dealing with my parents and myself too because I decided to learn bboying from the roots, at the age of 22 and since I am a graduate and I have a degree in computer science and also worked in a company, but now I am out of the job and soon will get one, but the thing is in my past life before bboying, when I was working in an office, just like you said, I was working becuase that is expected out of me, a normal human being, nobody goes to understand the true hard work that you need to do inorder to become a professional bboy, but as for me I can see myself fitting into bboying with ease. The problem is I decided to do both and I cannot leave both. I decided to learn bboying on my own be creative for 4 years and then go into public competitions. But should I consider myself that just becuase I have an educational qualification, I don't have the right to enjoy learning bboying and get the rewards out of it in the future?


  • Zee
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  • 2:41 am on April 24, 2013
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Hey! Your blog is awesome and I admire you for sharing the TRUTH with everyone else. I'm 22 years old and for ever since I can remember, I could never keep a job. I've have over 15 different jobs and I can't stay for more than 3-6 months. Actually I've lasted 2 years in one company but I was 16 at that time. My friends and family just see me as "unstable" going from job to job but the truth is that I've been trying to free myself from this matrix society has imposed on everybody. I graduated from high school and went to college but never graduated, I just never saw the point of it. I was always an outcast and never wanted what the rest of the people wanted. I've recently just started babysitting part time and I'm enjoying it because I'm my own boss, I'm only working a few hours- tax free. It's not a real job and absolutely not something I would want to do forever but it's fast cash. I'm making less money than I was but I realized that money isn't going to buy happiness as everyone makes it seem. I'm far from materialistic which is why I don't need as much money and I'm not after it. I need it to pay bills, gas, food ect.. only the necessities and not to buy things you don't need just to impress people and try to fit in with everyone else. This is why I love your blog, you promote peace and happiness and simply being yourself. NOT what society wants. So thank you very much for sharing this! It's beyond inspiring and doesn't make me feel so alone after all- XOXO


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